I applied for a job 4.5 hours away, I am fairly confident that if I go for the interview I will get it, as I nailed the over the phone interview on Wednesday (they flat out told me I handled it the best do far, and were in a hurry to hire), and they called today to ask me to drive up tomorrow for the in person; I told them I was from out of state etc, and said they had a couple people move to the town to work and it is no big deal and they are willing to work on timing issues etc when I first interviewed (I havent responded to the offer of the in person tomorrow yet)

I found the job on the net (adjusted for cost of living expenses) they listed a range of salaries (depending on experience) on the low end is what Im getting paid now, on the high end, it is about 125% of what my current salary is, and if Im willing to work overnights (24x7 operation) there is a 10% increase above and beyond that high end range, so best case scenario, adjusted for cost of living, Im making 135% above what my current salary is. It will be kind of a pain in the ass for me to drive up there etc, as I am on overnights now, and would have to sleep in my car before driving back or spend a whole weekend there etc, and I just don't have the time to waste currently. Is it a major deal to shoot them an email and ask compared to my experience how much they planned to offer if I did get the job etc, as I dont want to waste their/my time if they plan to offer the low end of the spectrum and wont go higher (along with a guarantee of 10% for the overnights etc).

I don't think it's a matter of etiquette, but will make you seem less interested in the job and, thus, hurt your chances of getting it

That was the other issue I was worried about.....if only negs worked on HR departments

this all sounds like post-offer negotiations to me. Best get the offer in hand before you negotiate what goes on the contract.

i think if you aren't willing to put in the time/hassle to take a swing at that job, you may not want it after all.

I do want it, but I dont want to make a lateral move if I cant negotiate a higher salary than what I get now, added to the fact that I just moved in to a new place 3 months ago (moving sucks ldo), and I have a lease that goes through the end of the year; If I could get the highest salary they said they are offering, I would move, but if I get something nearer the lower end it makes more sense to stick to my current plan of getting a job up there in Jan.

well, either you do like the offered job better than your current one, or you're in effect after more money.
if you're after the job, the money shouldn't be that much of a factor.

going from your reply, i think the salary hike is more important to you. in that case, i'd pitch for a job that pays more from the get-go.

as a rule of thumb, i never interviewed for a job not offering at least 30% more when it was the money i'm after but not necessarily the job.

You are significantly more likely to be able to negotiate the higher salary if you play by the normal rules and not come off as being difficult before the second interview even starts. If they liked you in the first interview and are in a hurry to hire, the second interview is mainly to make sure you can play well with others and fit in with the company.

Just focus on making them want you enough to offer the higher salary. If they don't, then you've only lost a day or two.

You should not talk salary until the very end of the process when the company brings it up. You should not initiate this. Also, just because a job goes up to a certain amount of money, it does not mean the company is going to be willing to pay you that much. Really, if you like the job you should go on the interview and if it goes well, when you have a money convo with the manager or HR, thats the time to let them know what you want and why you think you should get it.

You'll have a lot more leverage to negotiate salary once they've decided "gotta have guids". That, plus yoru current or past salaries are most likely irrelevant to these guys.

This is correct.

Yeah, only make an issue about money after you have the job in hand. Before that, it is all about what you can do for the company, not what they can do for you.

Learn to use sentences and periods for god's sake.

Yeah, have them offer you the job then negotiate salary, vacation days, etc to see if you are still interested. It's not appropriate to bring it up before hand.

http://archives1.twoplustwo.com/show...=7#Post9397099

It would depend on how much you want the job.

If you want it and would take the same pay as now - or maybe like 5% more, I wouldn't ask.

If you really need the 125% or no deal, and you have the leverage of being a really good fit - I would bring it up - not necessarily wanting an exact number, but just wanting to know that the high end is on the table and very likely in play.

It definitely won't make you sound desperate by thinking you are worth the high range, so if you can discuss it very professionally, I would bring it up in this case.

edit: guess it's a moot point now

Concentrate on the pitch you are going to make them AFTER you get offered. Play out the scenario in your head: they call, and offer X.

You: I'm delighted to hear you'd like to have me with the company. I'd be very happy to be able to come work there, but I did have a different expectation in terms of salary. If you have a minute, I'd like to briefly talk about why I think I will be more valuable to the company than what you just offered.

Then you launch into the guids is awesome speech, but use particular facts on how you will help THEM, don't just re-emphasize what's on your resume. Work in an anecdote from your old job if you can. Of course, also mention salary range listed up to Y on the website. Finish by coming back with a number less than Y.

If you have this prepped and ready for them, and deliver it smoothly, you will rock their socks. Gl, give us an update.

I'm guessing this offer is in Chicago? Think about the increased living expenses, if you want to live someplace cool that isn't the suburbs. Then think about how awesome the city is compared to where you are now.

fwiw, if it helps anyone out, I decided to not listen to everyone in oot (hah), , and just go ahead and send off an email asking some questions about their work environment (it took over a week to hear back from them, and I assumed it was a terrible move), and asking if they could meet my salary needs, they were more than happy to answer them, and asked me to come up ASAP and re-iterated that they need to fill the position quickly. so take it fwiw, I think I just happened upon a job that needed to be filled etc, so they were probably a little more accommodating than most places.

What kind of job is it?

security analyst (IT)

I have a similar question.

I have 2.5 years of post undergrad experience and 1/2 a masters (called a graduate certificate).

Before doing my graduate certificate, i did my 2.5 years of experience working with ERP systems. (Cognos and SQL Server)

Now, I am waiting on a job offer for a business systems analyst position working with Oracle/Linux. I made the mistake of letting them see my hand. When asked about salary range over the phone interview, I said minimum would be 45k, but did not give a range. She replied with, "ok, the same job title could have different salary ranges at different companies." This company is a medium sized (500 employees) privately held company. I also told them at my last 2 jobs, I earned 45 and 45k+5k bonus.

Now, the job posting they wanted was a person w/ 6 years of experience w/ ERP systems. A classmate said he would forward my resume to the CIO. This is how I got my in.

The hiring process is taking kind of long, but I impressed both the CIO and my potential boss. First, I met w/ HR lady, and then CIO, because potential boss was in a meeting. The CIO and I clicked. The CIO told my classmate, "He interviews well. I like him." I came back a 2nd time to meet w/ potential boss, and she says, "I'm behind CIO, so if he thinks you're a good fit, I'm right behind him. And yes, he thinks you would be a great fit."

So, they like me. However, it has been about 2 weeks since I had my last meeting w/ potential boss lady. My classmate also said they are looking at other candidates. Lastly, they have yet to contact my references. However, yesterday, Friday, the HR lady emailed me, "Sorry we are taking so long, but we are finalizing internal documents. I will get back to you asap. Thanks for understanding."

I replied back reiterating how well I'd fit in w/ the company, and my interest in the position. Also, I said that I was starting to doubt whether I get employed at the company, so this email has raised my spirits. (Does HR like fuzzy bunny slippers?)

Things are looking good, but again, nothing is guaranteed. The average salary for a Business systems Analyst in Illinois is 79k (56k-103k is the range). I do not expect 79k, but how much would be a reasonable expectation, and how much should I haggle?

A friend who has been working in Project Management said 50k would be a good start. His wife who is 1 year older than me, took a similar position w/ similar qualifications in NYC earning 56k + visa 3 years ago, now she has a 95k contract + visa. Both of them are from overseas (Whales + Australia).

So OOT, What's my play when she calls me and offer 45k? what about 60k? How do I give the impression that I will take the job, while still having leverage to get 9% more than their first offer?

as someone who hires regularly for salaried, professional white collar jobs, I would eliminate a candidate if they started talking like this. If they're that inept as an interviewer/candidate, I have no idea what I'll get myself into once they're hired.

delete post

great bump hoss, jeez.

quids, any update? since we're all here...